There is no doubt that IPL 2009 if nothing will be a better version of what we saw in last year.

The ongoing economic crisis may have tempered the enthusiasm a bit. But IPL title sponsor DLF assured that their commitment with the IPL is resolute for the next five years. DLF is a real estate major, an sector that has been hit hard by the economic slowdown. Rajeev Talwar, the group executive director of DLF said, “DLF will continue to play an integral part in helping develop the league into a truly world – class platform for showcasing and developing cricketing talent globally.”

As the league becomes older so do the teams. At least three franchisees have decided to pare their teams down to their essential requirements, and hence reduce the number of players they would have on their roster in 2009. What was it that made the teams take such measure? Recession would be an obvious answer, but no. With the second season of the IPL, teams have just become more mature and wiser. It seems these teams are working to a target, and know exactly what kind of team composition would help them achieve it.

With the player trade window open for one month, IPL teams are planning player transfers and new signings. The Bangalore Royal Challengers are eager to have the Karnataka captain Robin Uthappa in their team. In return, they are willing to give up the services of the left-arm seemer Zaheer Khan to the Mumbai Indians who would appreciate his inclusion in the team.

Sources say there could be a possible captaincy switch between Rahul Dravid to Robin Uthappa, if the later makes it into the Bangalore Royal Challengers.

Meanwhile Mumbai Indians have already made a trade by swapping left-arm seemer Ahish Nehra with the left handed opener Shikhar Dhawan of Delhi Daredevils with no money exchanged.

Deccan Chargers are all set to have a contract with the U P bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar after his amazing performance in the Ranji trophy, who also managed to take the wicket of Sachin Tendukar on a duck, the little master’s first in the Ranji trophy.

The IPL 2009 season might also see players from England taking part with different IPL franchisees. England Captain Andrew Strauss said that he and his players can afford to participate in the upcoming IPL season without having to compromise with their national duties. Negotiations are on between The ECB and PCA and players are eagerly waiting for things to get sorted out before the deadline of February 4 set by the IPL board. Meanwhile talks are going on between IPL and ECB for having a stable cricketing calendar. Chennai Super Kings have already started their talks with the flamboyant English all-rounder Andrew Flintoff. Reports say they are eager to buy him.

On the other hand, Cricket Australia has allowed the players to play in the IPL and will not ban any of the top players. However, they also made it clear that the players who are unfit or carry any injuries will be barred. The CA public affairs manager Peter Young thinks that the two month outing in India could be a good platform for the players to prepare for the upcoming Ashes series, despite the list of injured players they have that includes Brett Lee, Andrew Symonds, Peter Siddle and Shane Watson.

All together, the IPL 2009 tournament seems to be sumptuous and promises more breathtaking encounters. The IPL 2009 is scheduled to commence on April 10, for an absorbing two months of cricketing action till May 24.

Shane Warne said its a real shame that the English players are absent from the DLF IPL, which allows players to make good money and to develop their talents under the training of their greatly talented counterparts from all across the world.

Shane Warne Warne said, “It is a real shame that players like Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff are not in the IPL.” Warne also said the decision by the ECB to ban players from participating in the DLF IPL was short-sighted and ridiculous.

Several English players have already expressed their interest to play in the IPL. Kevin Pietersen is just one among them. “It is a ridiculous decision… ECB is stopping the players from joining IPL. It is a shame on the part of ECB that their players are missing from such a big tournament,” Warne said.

It is  said that ECB fears that the Indian IPL could hit hard its own domestic tournaments and thus take the shine away from the county matches to the glitzy Indian IPL matches.

After seeing several players expressing interest in participating in the DLF IPL and smelling a revolt, the ECB has softened its stand and has now allowed the players to take part in the 2010 edition of the DLF IPL.

Warne said, “ICC should show some common sense and open a six-week window for the IPL in its international tour schedule. That would make the job easier for the cricket boards of various countries.”

Shane Warne, the captain and coach of Rajasthan Royals, will face off with Kings X1 Punjab, being led by stylish Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh.

According to Professional Cricketers’ Association chief Sean Morris, ECB will consider the matter and the players can participate in the later stages of Twenty20 tournament in 2010.

“I think they will play. It is going to be driven by market forces, the players will go and play Twenty20 cricket. It makes a lot of sense to allow them to play based on the fact that we’ve got the World Twenty20 coming up five weeks later,” said  Morris.

“Don’t we want our best player competing in the leading domestic tournament at that time? The communication between the England players and the ECB has increased,” he added.

Morris said that Players will gain only benefits from the twenty20 tournament. He also said that there are many positive points when seen players point of view.

“If you’ve got a family and you’ve been travelling the world for 10 months of the year and you’ve got the option to go an earn twice as much money for five weeks work, no one is going to reject that,” he said.

The EPL will have 18 counties and some overseas teams. Media reports also said one team would probably be the IPL winners.

The tournament may see its inaugural edition by 2010. ECB is also considering two Twenty20 tournaments. But the main issue would be the availability of players in the event of a second Twenty20, wqhich would definitely clash with ICC’s Futures Tours Programme, which decides tour schedules by various playing nations. Another headache for ICC?